An ASD shiphandling tug of 28.04m in length and 9.75m beam, the tug was built for Marine Towing of Tampa, a company operating a mixed fleet of Ship Docking Modules (SDMs) and conventional twin screw tugs. The new tug is designed with shiphandling as its primary function and is classed ABS + A1, +AMS, with notation: 'Towing Service and Fire Fighting Capability'.

Independent admeasures 148 gross tons under US regulations and has a Load Line based on USA flag registry and USCG rules. The hull is built to a single chine design, similar to that used in many recent deliveries, and is unusual in that the afterdeck is plated over at bulwark height for over 25 per cent of the vessels length. This presumably gives additional under-deck height in the propulsion unit room and simplifies maintenance.

Independent carries out her shiphandling duties from the forward winch and has only towing bitts and a capstan aft.

Bollard pull is estimated at 61 tonnes towing ahead and 59 tonnes astern and a free running speed in excess of 12.5 knots.

Independent is powered by two, high displacement, Caterpillar 3516 B main engines with electronic injection, each rated at 2500bhp at1600rev/m.

The propulsion units are fully azimuthing Rolls-Royce 1650H Z-drives equipped with 2400mm diameter stainless steel propellers and nozzles with stainless steel liners.

Two alternators driven by Caterpillar 3304 DIT rated at 99KW at 1800rev/min produce a 208V 3 phase electrical supply for the vessel's systems.

A further Caterpillar, a 3406TA rated at 440bhp at 2100rev/min powers an Aurora model 411 centrifugal fire pump to supply two 1500gal/min SKUM Fire Monitors and a self protection spray system.

Independent is fitted with a substantial Schuyler laminated 'soft loop' bow fender capped at the top of the bulwark with a 14 inch square hollow rubber moulding. Schuyler also supplied the 12 inch black rubber 'D' fender on the sides and stern.

The tug tows over the bow from an electrically driven Markey model DEPC-48 single-drum towing winch carrying 500ft of 'Spectra type' high performance towline. The winch has a brake holding load of 180 tonnes and is equipped with 'full render and recover' capability.

Navigation and communications equipment include a Furuno GP-37 DGPS; a Simrad/Robertson AP9MK3 autopilot; a Simrad HS50 satellite compass; a Standard LH5 loud hailer; a Simrad RA53-4 radar; a Furuno 1953 C/NT radar; a Furuno depth sounder; and three Icom M127 VHF radios.